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Aerial view of Ragged Island’s farm property off Bristol Ferry Road (at far right) shows approximate locations of where a beer garden tent, a prep tent and toilets will go. The blue squares represent “pop-up” tents, where people can enjoy their brews while socially distancing.

In Portsmouth: Ragged Island gets OK for outdoor beer garden

PORTSMOUTH — Ragged Island’s plan to get people on its new farm property as quickly as possible by way of an outdoor summer beer garden received unanimous approval by the Zoning … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/17/20

Aurelius Brockman, a sixth-grader at Portsmouth Middle School, briefly pauses from his task of moving sprinklers around a student garden at Cloverbud Ranch to get some welcome relief from the stifling heat morning Monday.

In Portsmouth: A farm of their own

PORTSMOUTH — While school buildings were closed and learning moved online, a group of 25 children — some as young as 10 — were working on more than just their ABCs. These … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/16/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo begins her COVID-19 briefing on Friday afternoon, June 12.

Governor urges restaurant workers, bus drivers to get tested

PROVIDENCE — The state is expanding its symptomatic testing for COVID-19 to include restaurant workers and bus drivers, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced at a news briefing Friday, June … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/12/20

Olivia Durant, Ava Moore and Emma Sherrod (from left), all eighth-graders at Portsmouth Middle School, show their support to faculty members during Portsmouth Middle School’s parade for eighth-grade students Friday morning. They were gathered on Mailcoach Road in the Redwood Farms neighborhood.

Portsmouth Middle School faculty parades through town

PORTSMOUTH — Has it hit your neighborhood yet? Around 9:30 a.m. Friday, a mini-caravan of faculty members from Portsmouth Middle School left the school’s parking lot for a … more

6/12/20

Gina Raimondo reveals plans to reopen schools in Rhode Island next fall.

Gov. Raimondo — 'It's time to get back to school'

Distance learning has been a great success, but it is time to get back to school, Governor Gina Raimondo announced at Wednesday's coronavirus press briefing, a session devoted almost entirely to … more

By Bruce Burdett | 6/10/20

Graduating senior Mackenzie Gill greets School Committee Chairwoman Emily Copeland as she receives her diploma Saturday morning at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth diploma pickup was full of pomp and circumstance

PORTSMOUTH — It was like a second graduation ceremony, and perhaps that was the point. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/9/20

Raimondo: Virus illustrates need for big changes in state’s health care system

Though the numbers are trending down, Covid-19 is still very much present in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina Raimondo said during her daily briefing Thursday. Since Wednesday, 14 more Rhode … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/4/20

Cool off, Knock It Off! Warren restaurant joins viral campaign

It started with T-shirts. Then came coffee, beer, personal protective equipment - even barbecue sauce. Now the wildly popular “Knock It Off” design created by a Warren-owned Providence … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/4/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday, May 29.

Nursing homes will remain closed to visitors on June 1

PROVIDENCE — If you’ve been unable to visit a loved one living in a nursing home or an assisted living facility since the COVID-19 outbreak, you’ll have to wait at least … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/29/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo describes what it will look like to dine at a restaurant or get your hair cut in Rhode Island next week.

Welcome back, indoor dining, hair cuts and youth sports

Beginning Monday, when Rhode Island transitions to Phase 2 of its economic reboot, residents will be able to dine indoors, cut and color their hair, get a new coat of nail polish for the first time … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/28/20

Gov. Raimondo previews state’s 'Phase 2’ reopening plans

PROVIDENCE — Explaining “a lot of information will be coming out in next couple of weeks as we start reopening our economy,” Gov. Gina Raimondo spent the better part of her Friday, … more

By Mike Rego | 5/22/20

DEM issues COVID-19, other boating safety guidelines

PROVIDENCE — As Memorial Day and the start of the boating season approaches, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is asking boaters to follow COVID-19 social distancing rules and … more

5/22/20

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo reminded people that large gatherings are still not allowed and the guidelines governing travel are still in place.

Governor responds to 17% unemployment rate, questions about new app

As the country prepares to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo reminded people that large gatherings are still not allowed and the guidelines governing travel are … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/21/20

Portsmouth’s Sandy Point Beach to open Saturday with restrictions

PORTSMOUTH — The town’s beaches officially open on Memorial Day weekend, but only to local residents who will need to follow a host of restrictions. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/21/20

Commentary: Underage drinking during COVID-19

EAST BAY — Today we face a national crisis in the form of a deadly pandemic. However, we at the East Bay Regional Coalition remind all there is a hidden link between COVID-19 and other national … more

5/21/20

Melville School Principal Elizabeth Viveiros has been named assistant superintendent of Portsmouth schools, effective July 1. (File photo)

Melville’s Viveiros named Portsmouth’s next assistant superintendent

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth School Committee Tuesday night warmly welcomed the appointment of Melville Elementary School Principal Elizabeth Viveiros as the district’s new assistant … more

5/20/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her Friday, May 15 briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor: Phase 2 of re-opening won’t begin until after Memorial Day

PROVIDENCE — At her daily COVID-19 briefing Friday, Gov. Gina Raimondo explained the criteria being used to determine when the state is ready to move into a different phase of re-opening … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/15/20

Portsmouth accepting applications for temporary outdoor dining

PORTSMOUTH — The Town of Portsmouth has developed an application process for allowing temporary outdoor dining at restaurants currently licensed by the town, that will continue through … more

5/14/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo set June 29 as the target date to open summer camps.

Governor says yes to small-group summer camps

Rhode Island children (and parents) got some good news on Thursday afternoon, when Gov. Gina Raimondo announced she will be allowing summer camps to open on June 29. Like everything in life, camps … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/14/20

You're free to visit Elmhurst Park in Portsmouth as long as you adhere to social distancing guidelines.

So what Portsmouth parks, recreation areas can you visit?

PORTSMOUTH — State parks will begin to open on Saturday, May 9, with social distancing rules still in effect. That includes two state parks in Portsmouth: The Black Regiment Monument at … more

5/8/20

RI Governor Gina Raimondo reminded people that social gatherings are still limited to groups of five or less.

Governor: Gatherings still limited to five on Mother's Day

The governor had a clear message with Mother's Day approaching: Social gatherings are still limited to five people. During her press briefing on Friday afternoon, Gov. Gina Raimondo said she wants … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/8/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo speaks at Thursday's briefing.

Governor: Stay-at-home ends Saturday — 'slowly'

Rhode Island’s stay-at-home order will indeed end on Saturday, Governor Gina Raimondo announced at her … more

By Bruce Burdett | 5/7/20

For Portsmouth High's Class of 2020, a senior year interrupted

PORTSMOUTH — No prom. No traditional graduation. No senior picnic. No spring sports. No final play or concert. For members of the Class of 2020, … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/7/20

Portsmouth High School senior Steve Alix safely collects his graduation cap and gown outside the main office on Wednesday, May 6.

Portsmouth High seniors collect caps and gowns at 'drive-through'

PORTSMOUTH — Problem: How to safely distribute graduation caps and gowns to Portsmouth High School seniors in the midst of a pandemic? more

By Jim McGaw | 5/6/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her daily briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday, May 1. Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the R.I. Department of Health, is at left.

Governor still aiming to lift R.I. stay-at-home order on May 8

PROVIDENCE — Despite the fact that surrounding states have extended their stay-at-home directives due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rhode Island is still sticking with its plan to let Gov. … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/1/20